[quote author="icey" date=1240566856]I guess if people buying there understood what they were getting into, that this was a strict HOA neighborhood, that they should comply with the rules. That was the expectation of everyone in the neighborhood when they bought, so there really shouldn't be an exception.
An HOA can be an asset to a neighborhood, by keeping everything maintained and ensuring the long term health of the neighborhood.
On the other hand, I have heard the stereotypical stories of the strict (fascist LOL) HOAs that reside in Irvine, and I thought they were exaggerated, but after reading some threads here, I didn't realize this was the actual case!
As long as there aren't clunkers parked in the driveway, who cares? That's what driveways and curbs are for. I would be miserable in this neighborhood, with neighbors all policing each other over stuff I don't consider significant. But those are the rules, and people paid alot of money for those rules to be enforced, so that's the way it goes. I personally prefer some light enforcement, but the degree of neighbor suspicion in these neighborhoods seems way too high.
For me, owning a home means a certain degree of freedom, and these types of HOAs take the fun out of that.</blockquote>
Honestly, this line of thinking drives me batty! Everybody wants this freedom and ability to "live their life" and not be bothered, etc. DON'T LIVE IN IRVINE IN AN HOA ENFORCED NEIGHBORHOOD!!!! That's like living on the beach and saying how much you hate the salty air and noise of the waves and beach traffic in the summer. If you want freedom, the ability to park nine cars in your driveway and blare your TV in your garage all night that's fine, but move to the country or go live on two acres in San Berdoo. Don't live in an Irvine HOA neighborhood and complain about all your rights being taken away when YOU SIGNED THE CCR'S WHEN YOU MOVED IN!!!!!
It gets old.